PEOPLE living close to South Ockendon and Tilbury railway stations are to be asked if they want to take part in Thurrock Council’s free resident parking permit scheme.
The council’s cabinet agreed earlier in the year to make resident parking free in the Grays and Stanford-le-Hope areas where it charges and top consider introducing the new free scheme on the Flowers Estate in Ockendon and in other areas where residents fought with commuters to find space for car parking – such as Badgers’ Dene and Tilbury.
The free scheme is for up to two cars per household with permits for more vehicles having a charge.
The proposal is particularly pleasing for Conservative councillors, Lynn Carr and Barry Johnson, who have fought long and hard for such proposals.
Cllr Carr said: “I am very pleased. It has been a real concern for the residents of the Flowers Estate. In these hard times, it will really help everyone.”
At Wednesday (27 February) evening’s budget-setting meeting of the council, Leader Cllr John Kent explained that as “prudent” levels of reserves were secure, he could spend more than expected.
He said: “We have regularly had residents in Grays, Tilbury and Ockendon raising the problems caused by commuter parking. It is important that we do what we can to resolve these problems.”
Council agreed “officers be instructed to bring forward consultation and, if the consultation is positive, free resident parking schemes in those areas of Grays, Tilbury and Ockendon that have requested this in the past.
“Officers should first look to fund this from any unused prudential borrowing, secondly from any unused Highways Capital monies and failing that from corporate reserves.”
Cllr Kent said: “We have heard much talk about the need for such a scheme on the Flowers Estate. We will make it happen this year, if it is the wish of residents.”
